Individual fundraising Ideas for School Trips: Top Picks

If you’re here, chances are you’re staring down a big field trip payment, or helping someone who is.

We get it.

Whether it’s a high school music competition in D.C. or a fifth-grade adventure to the science museum, field trips add up fast. And the last thing any parent or teacher needs is another tired fundraiser that drains your energy and leaves you wondering where the money went.

We’ve spent over 20 years working with PTO leaders, teachers, and amazing volunteer parents across the country. And here’s what we can tell you with confidence: fundraising doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth.

You don’t need melting chocolate bars, minimum orders, or mystery spreadsheets to make money.

You just need smart, student-friendly ideas that make it easy, and maybe even a little fun, to raise funds one person at a time.

So if you’re looking for flexible, creative individual fundraising ideas for school trips, you’re in the right place. Whether your group is large or small, we’ll walk through proven ways students are earning their way to unforgettable experiences, without the stress.

Let’s dive in.

Individual Fundraising Ideas Students Can Do Themselves

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: when kids feel ownership, they show up in amazing ways. Fundraising is about confidence, creativity, and problem-solving. That’s why we love ideas that kids can take on themselves, especially when the goal is tied to something exciting, like a school trip they’ve been dreaming about for months.

Birthday Donations 

Birthday donations are such a thoughtful and heartfelt way to raise funds. Instead of presents, kids ask for a small donation toward their trip. It’s a great option for families who want to contribute in a way that feels meaningful.

Pet-sitting Or Lawn Care

Pet-sitting or lawn care may sound simple, but don’t underestimate the power of consistency. Walking dogs after school or mowing a few neighborhood lawns can easily bring in hundreds of dollars. All it takes is a clear goal, a simple flyer, and the drive to follow through, people love supporting a motivated kid with a plan.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding with a personal story is another option we’ve seen take off. When students record a short video explaining what the trip means to them and why they’re raising money, the response is often overwhelming. Family, neighbors, even out-of-state relatives jump in to donate, not because they were pressured, but because they connected with the story.

Recycling Drive

A recycling drive is an easy and low maintenance way to earn money individually. Students can collect aluminum cans or bottles from their own households and trade it in for money. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it teaches students about sustainability while raising cash for their travel goals.

Low-Cost, High-Impact Fundraising Ideas (That Don’t Rely on Parents)

Not every family can cut a check, and that’s okay. In fact, that’s reality for a lot of schools we work with. And you know what? That shouldn’t stop any kid from going on a field trip that could change their life.

The best fundraisers aren’t built on guilt or assumptions. They’re built on creativity, community, and respect for people’s different circumstances. When you open up your efforts to the wider neighborhood, and take the pressure off families, you’ll be amazed at who shows up to support.

Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the simplest ideas.

Rummage Sales and Community Cleanups

Go old-school with rummage sales and neighborhood clean-up days. These fundraisers cost next to nothing to organize, and they bring people together while supporting a cause that feels real and immediate.

Community Swag

Community swag is always a hit, custom T-shirts, hats, or stickers that show off local pride (think school mascots or town slogans) are easy to sell to neighbors, alumni, and local businesses. These pieces can become a badge of support.

Photo Booths 

Set up a holiday photo booth with Santa, a school mascot, or a fun seasonal backdrop. Families in the community can pop by for an affordable keepsake, and students get to practice their event-planning skills in the process.

Family recipe books 

Ask families to contribute a favorite dish, especially cultural recipes that carry meaning. Print a small batch and sell them as holiday or Mother’s Day gifts. It’s a heartfelt way to bring the school community together and raise money.

Fundraisers That Reach Beyond the School

One thing we always remind leaders is that you don’t have to do this alone. Tap into local businesses that want to help. Here’s a few ideas to get started:

Bake sale with a twist

Team up with a local bakery to sell pastries and bread. Students take orders, families help deliver, and the bakery gets free publicity. This fundraiser can become a community tradition that families actually look forward to.

Restaurant spirit

Local pizza joints and chains like Panera often give back a portion of evening sales. You promote the night, families eat dinner out (or order in), and your fundraiser earns cash without any extra legwork.

Fundraising doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to work. It only has to feel doable, for everyone.

Event Fundraisers That Spark Community Joy (and Donations)

Some of the best fundraisers feel like celebrations. After all, when people are laughing, connecting, and enjoying themselves, they’re far more likely to open their wallets (and their hearts). The magic of event fundraisers is that they build both community and momentum, especially when you keep things fun, simple, and welcoming for everyone.

Trivia Night

A trivia night is one of our favorite low-effort, high-reward fundraisers. You can host it in the cafeteria or gym, charge a team entry fee, and throw in snacks or a bake sale for extra dollars. Bonus points if you theme it, “Battle of the Grades” or “Teacher vs. Student” always draws a crowd.

DIY Escape Room

How about turning your school into an adventure with a DIY escape room? Use classrooms or the gym to set up challenges. Charge teams to participate and offer a fun prize to the fastest crew. It’s interactive, creative, and gives students a way to lead and shine.

Sweet Treats Anyone? 

Ice cream socials, cupcake bake-offs, and “treat your teacher” dessert bars are low-cost crowd-pleasers. Families love a reason to gather, especially when their sweet tooth gets involved. These are especially great for younger grades or springtime fundraisers.

You can even host a Cultural Cuisine Night where families share traditional dishes from their heritage. Not only do you raise money through ticket sales or donations, you also create a deeply meaningful moment that celebrates what makes your school community unique.

Motivation, Tracking, and Avoiding Burnout

We’ve talked to thousands of school leaders and parent volunteers who feel like they are the only ones doing anything. That burnout is real. But the good news is it’s also preventable.

The biggest mistake we see? Trying to run a fundraiser without a roadmap. If your team doesn’t know what the goal is or where the finish line sits, they’re going to lose steam fast.

Start with a clear, simple goal.

Is it $3,000 for the charter bus? $7,500 to cover meals and museum passes? Whatever it is, name it, share it, and update your group as you go.

Then keep the energy up with small, exciting wins:

• Leaderboards with weekly updates
• Pizza parties for top sellers
• “Hat Day” or “No Homework Pass” rewards
• Celebrating milestones publicly, like “We’re halfway to D.C.!”

We also recommend rotating volunteer roles. Instead of one person carrying the whole thing, break up tasks into bite-size chunks: one person handles communication, another tracks inventory, a student team promotes on social media. 

No one gets overwhelmed, and more people stay engaged.

Product Fundraising Without the Hassles

Here’s what we’ve learned after 20+ years:

If a fundraiser melts, molds, or requires a freezer… skip it.

We’ve seen too many schools stuck dealing with melted chocolate in July, or scrambling for fridge space when the cookie dough truck shows up. That’s exactly why we created Fun Pasta Fundraising, to make product fundraisers easier, cleaner, and honestly… more fun.

Here’s why pasta beats chocolate every time: 

• No melting. No mess. Whether you’re in Texas in August or hauling boxes across town, pasta holds up. No refrigeration, no sticky fingers, no special handling required.
• Made in the USA. Every bag is crafted right here in Nashville, TN, with high-quality ingredients and whimsical, themed shapes your supporters will actually want to buy.
• Long shelf life. Pasta stays fresh for months, making it perfect for gift baskets, family meals, or stocking stuffers, no rush, no waste.
• Ships fast. Stores easy. No pallets or perishables. Only compact, shelf-stable packages that fit neatly into classrooms, garages, or your car trunk.
• Shapes that sell themselves. From sports teams to unicorns to holiday themes, our pasta is made to start conversations and make people smile. 

Built to Be Simple, Smart, and Successful

What makes our system different? It’s not only the pasta, it’s the whole approach:

• No contracts. No minimums. Start small or go big. It’s your call. We’re here to support you either way.
• Each student gets a custom online link. That means you can track every single sale, per student, in real time. No spreadsheet headaches. No guessing who sold what.
• Trusted by repeat groups. Many of our schools come back year after year, because they’ve seen the results. They know it works, and they know we’ll be here to help every step of the way.

Not to mention our platform is fully online-optional. Some schools go 100% digital with zero paper. Others mix and match with brochures and in-person orders. You get to choose what fits your group best.

If you’re tired of product fundraisers that feel like more work than they’re worth, or want something fresh that people are actually excited to buy, Fun Pasta might be exactly what you’re looking for.